The Aberdeen Passion: One Hope (2014)

Supported Charities

Aberdeen Passion Plays is pleased to announce the two main charities we will be supporting through the fund raising aspects of the 2014 production are:

The Lighthouse Support Centre

The Lighthouse Support Centre is a community outreach project situated in Tillydrone Shopping Centre. The project offers one-to-one and group support to socially excluded and disadvantaged people in the surrounding community.

Holistic (emotional, material and spiritual) support is provided to men and women who have life controlling issues such as alcohol or drug addiction; ex-offenders and families of prisoners; single parents; lonely and isolated individuals. Help is given with form filling and accessing essential items of furniture and household goods. Food is distributed weekly.

The aims of the Lighthouse community is:

To show unconditional love by respecting and valuing each individual

To develop self esteem and self worth

To provide one–to-one support

To act as role models, mentors and advocates

To encourage spiritual development through life courses and pastoral care

The project is dependent on a team of committed volunteers, from churches, who are involved in running drop-in sessions for men on a Monday and women on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings (due to the ever swelling numbers of women). On Thursday mornings the project is now also running two groups alternatively. A creative craft group for ladies to help develop skills and self esteem and a parenting support class for mothers.

On Thursday afternoons the project has started a “Celebrating Recovery” group. This group focuses on addiction issues and includes a step by step programme towards freedom. Last year 7 people completed the 25 session course! (the photograph above shows the Celebrate Recovery Group enjoying a meal at Gateway@Credo after finishing their first recovery course).

The Lighthouse Support Centre works in partnership with other social action agencies such as Bethany Christian Trust, Prison Fellowship, Integrate and St Machar Parent Support Project.

For more information please contact John Merson, DCF Church (01224 733979)

The Solid Rock Café, Fraserburgh

The Solid Rock Café has been at the very heart of Fraserburgh since the North East town was first ravaged by the effects of drug abuse in the late 1990s. The outreach initiative provides desperately needed help for those battling addictions, as well as support for families, who often suffer greatly when loved ones become entangled in drugs.

Operating a host of services, including a drop-in centre and one-on-one appointments, Solid Rock’s dedicated team of staff and volunteers work hard at building relationships, offering assistance and providing counselling to those in need.

The café – which is often the first port of call for those looking to change their lives – acts as a feeder to the Teen Challenge programme, referring local, hurting people to centres across the UK.

Solid Rock, which is open between 10am – 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, recently introduced ‘Street Church’ on the third Sunday of every month. At the sessions, attendees enjoy a free meal before having the opportunity to listen to a sermon, as well as an inspiring life story from someone who has overcome their problems to live a life free from drink or substance abuse.

And the café – which also hosts drug prevention seminars for local schools and youth groups to raise awareness of the dangers of substance misuse – has now joined forces with the Apex Church in Peterhead to bring ‘Street Church’ to the town.